Ambulance Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they have recognised the work of the professional and voluntary ambulance crews who have worked in Northern Ireland throughout the 25 years of terrorist activity.

Lord Rooker: Ambulance staff are eligible to receive the ambulance service (emergency services) long service and good conduct medal, the Ambulance Service Association (ASA) long service medal and the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal.
	The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) is considering a proposal for a Northern Ireland volunteer medal for members of the Order of St John, the Order of Malta and the British Red Cross.

Animal Welfare: Wild Birds

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 7 November (WA 157-8), who will carry out research on conservation, illegal trade and local livelihood; to whom the research tender will be open; whether they will accept evidence from Bird Life International; when the research will be complete; and what will be the exact research agenda.

Lord Rooker: A research project has been tendered to assess whether the current ban has resulted in increased seizures of illegal imports, to identify how the ban has impacted on the livelihood of those in the source countries and how this may result in negative conservation. The tender process was carried out on a restricted basis, recognising the relevant knowledge and expertise required to carry out the study. Those invited to tender were as follows:
	Institute of Zoology;
	Overseas Development Institute;
	Zoological Society of London;
	World Conservation Monitoring Centre; and
	TRAFFIC International.
	Officials are considering the tenders received, with a view to letting the contract shortly. Once the contract is let, the research will take eight months. I see no reason to exclude relevant evidence from Bird Life International in the study. However, it will be for the successful candidate to decide, in conjunction with Defra, how such evidence is considered.

Benefits: Incapacity Benefit

Lord Skelmersdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will state the number of claimants of incapacity benefit by age decile.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information is in the table.
	
		
			 The number of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants by age decile at 31 May (2006) 
			 Under 20 38,800 
			 20-29 278,720 
			 30-39 464,470 
			 40-49 667,270 
			 50-59 928,110 
			 60-69 336,330 
			 70-79 13,410 
			 80-89 2,770 
			 90 and over 60 
			 DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions longitudinal study 100 per cent data. 
			 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 
			 "Claimant" figures include all IB and SDA, including IB credits-only cases.

Civil Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the community background of Northern Ireland civil servants who work in the North/South Ministerial sectoral in Armagh.

Lord Rooker: Fourteen Northern Ireland civil servants work in the NSMC in Armagh. To provide a breakdown by community background of such a small group of staff would risk breaching the statutory requirement for confidentiality in fair employment monitoring legislation and would be contrary to the Data Protection Act.

Climate Change: Greenhouse Gases

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is funding to reduce the contribution agriculture makes to greenhouse gas emissions of nitrous oxide.

Lord Rooker: Understanding and reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from farming and the interaction between GHG emissions and reducing the overall environmental impact of agriculture is a complex area. Research to inform policy development is therefore a priority, and we can also draw on an extensive back catalogue of work already conducted by Defra and its predecessors. Research is prominent in our commitments in the 2006 UK Climate Change Programme, including:
	research, at a cost of £1 million over three years, to improve the inventory of emissions from agriculture;research on impacts and adaptation responses for land managers;research to improve our understanding of the contribution which improved land management practices, including environmental stewardship measures, can make to climate change mitigation; andraising the efficiency of nitrogen use in agriculture.
	We are also developing a policy position, supported by research and development work, on the use of anaerobic digestion to reduce methane emissions. The full range of research and development projects—past, current and proposed—to reduce emissions are available on the Defra website at www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/Default.asp.

Crime: Fuel Smuggling

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much they estimate has been lost to date this year from fuel smuggling and laundering in Northern Ireland.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Estimates of the revenue lost through the illegal consumption of diesel and petrol in Northern Ireland are not available because it is not yet possible to split revenue losses between those resulting from the illicit market and those from legitimate cross-border shopping. However, estimates of the total non-UK duty-paid consumption are reported in Measuring Indirect Tax Losses—2005, which is published alongside the PBR and can be found in the House of Commons Library. Estimates for 2005 are due to be published at the time of the PBR.

Economy: Growth

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether gross domestic product growth is as appropriate an indicator of real economic growth as evidenced passenger growth.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information requested falls within the responsibilities of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from the National Statistician, Karen Dunnell, to Lord Bradshaw, dated December 2006.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning GDP growth and evidenced passenger growth (HL315). GDP is the key economic indicator of real growth in an economy. It is measured according to internationally agreed specifications and seeks to include all economic activity. Passenger growth does not cover all economic activity in an economy and therefore is unlikely to be a more appropriate indicator.

Equality: Sexual Orientation

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (SI 2006/439) protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion against unnecessary limitation, in accordance with Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and, if so, in what ways.

Lord Rooker: The regulations have been drafted in accordance with the articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion has been afforded protection under the terms of Regulation 16. This provides an exemption from the regulations where organisations exist whose purpose is to practice, advance or teach the practice or principle of a religion or belief; or to enable persons of a religion or belief to receive any benefit or engage in any activity within the framework of that religion or belief. In all cases the protection is afforded where it is necessary to comply with the doctrines of the organisation or to avoid conflicting with the strongly held religious convictions of a significant number of the religion's followers.

EU: Popular Myths

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 20 November (WS 18), what are the "popular myths about fraud and corruption in the European Union" dispelled by the House of Lords European Union Select Committee's report on Financial Management and Fraud in the European Union (HL Paper 270, Session 2005-06).

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The summary of conclusions (Chapter 7) to this House's European Union Committee report Financial Management and Fraud in the European Union (HL Paper 270-I) states at paragraph 145:
	"Our investigation was not presented with any evidence of a culture of corruption in the Commission".
	At paragraph 146, the report states:
	"We recognise that a lack of a positive Statement of Assurance does not necessarily indicate that high levels of fraudulent or corrupt transactions have taken place".
	Paragraph 160 states:
	"During our inquiry we heard considerable evidence on the Commission's financial management. None of that evidence supports the allegation that there is a significant element of corruption within the Commission".
	Paragraph 166 states:
	"We are generally satisfied with the Commission's procedures and reporting requirements on debt waivers. We see no evidence of the 'ruthless exploitation' of the procedures that some have suggested".

Exports: Manufactured Goods

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the value of manufactured goods exported from Northern Ireland to India in 2004-05.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information on the value of manufactured goods exported from Northern Ireland to India in 2004-05 is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Value1 of manufactured goods exported from Northern Ireland2 to India in 2004-05 (£ million) 
			 Year Manufactured goods3 
			 2004 7.8 
			 2005 10.5 
			 1 Value of goods declared 
			 2 Traders registered in Northern Ireland 
			 3 Goods classified under Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Section 6 
			 Source: HM Revenue & Customs, regional trade statistics

Extraordinary Rendition

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the conclusions of the latest European Parliament report on extraordinary rendition on the involvement of the United Kingdom and other European Union member states in assisting the Government of the United States in such air movements.

Lord Triesman: The Government co-operated fully with the European Parliament Committee in its preparation of this draft report. We have found no evidence since 1997 of detainees being rendered through the UK or overseas territories where there were substantial grounds to believe that there was a real risk of torture. I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right honourable friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr Jack Straw) on 20 January 2006 (Official Report, Commons, 20/1/06; col. 38WS), which clearly sets out our position.

Football: Use of Olympic Stadium

Lord Luke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Minister for Sport has held discussions with either of the Premier League football clubs West Ham or Tottenham Hotspur about a possible move for the clubs to the Olympic stadium after 2012; on which dates such meetings, telephone calls or discussions took place; and what was the outcome.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Minister for Sport had exploratory discussions about the legacy use of the Olympic stadium at meetings with representatives from West Ham United on 8 March 2006 and 3 July 2006, in phone calls with West Ham United on 18 May 2006 and 17 October 2006, and at meetings with representatives from Tottenham Hotspur on 7 March 2006 and 5 June 2006.

Freedom of Information: Environmental Information Regulations

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When reviews have been held following refusal of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004; and what was the nature and subject matter of the information held.

Lord Rooker: Regulation 11 of the Environmental Information Regulations sets out the mechanism for those requesting environmental information to ask public authorities to review their response to requests. The request for a review must be made within 40 days of the date on which the requester believes the authority failed to comply with a requirement of the regulations. The Government do not hold information centrally on when these reviews take place.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) is committed to publishing quarterly updates on departmental performance under the Freedom of Information Act. This includes information on the number of requests referred for internal review on the grounds that requested information was not provided. The most recent of these was published on 29 September 2006 and can be found both on the DCA website at www.foi.gov.uk/reference/statsAndReports/stats06_ apr-jun.htm and in the Library. The next bulletin is due next month, while an annual report is due to be published in early 2007.

Immigration: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people are currently detained in Northern Ireland for immigration offences.

Lord Rooker: There are three male prisoners currently held in HMP Maghaberry for immigration offences.

Iraq: British Business

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to establish a trade office in Erbil, Iraq, to assist in the promotion of British business.

Lord Triesman: UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) commercial team in Baghdad supports British business across the whole of Iraq with support from the UKTI commercial office in Amman. In view of the situation in Iraq, and UKTI's existing commercial network in the region, there are no plans at present to open a trade office in Erbil.

Iraq: British Consulate

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the British consulate in Kirkuk, Iraq, will relocate to Erbil.

Lord Triesman: Officials are reviewing plans for the future status of our consulate in Kirkuk. One of the options under consideration is to move to Erbil. A decision has not yet been made on whether the consulate should move from Kirkuk to Erbil or elsewhere.

Iraq: Chancellor's Visit

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Chancellor of the Exchequer's November visit to Iraq cost.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Since 1999, the Government have published annually a list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. They have also published each year since 1995-96 the total annual cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries. Information for 2006-07 will be published in July 2007.

Iraq: Militias

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made representations to the Government of Iraq about the influence of militias and their alleged links with individuals and groups in government, and about the need to control and disarm these militias; and, if so, with what results.

Lord Triesman: We continue to press the Iraqi authorities, at a national and provincial level, to take action on the militias. Prime Minister al-Maliki has recognised the importance of the issue and has made clear that the Government of Iraq must have a monopoly on the use of force. National reconciliation forms a key part of tackling illegal armed groups and ensuring their legitimate participation in the political process. We are working with the Iraqi Government to encourage this. We are ready to support the process of disarming, demobilising and reintegrating militia members into Iraqi society, and hope that other members of the international community will do likewise.

Northern Bank Robbery

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President (Baroness Amos) on 24 February 2005 (WA 221-2), 1 March 2005 (WA 9) and 7 April 2005 (WA 126-7), and by Lord Rooker on 13 July 2005 (WA 153) relating to the £26 million Northern Bank robbery, how much money has been recovered; under what circumstances and where the money was recovered; how many people have been arrested, charged or are awaiting trial; how many people have been convicted; and what sentences have been imposed.

Lord Rooker: To date an Garda Síochána in Cork is in possession of notes to the value of £4.5 million. In addition, approximately £0.5 million has been seized by an Garda Síochána, but the exact amount is unknown, as a considerable number of bank notes were burnt by the offender. An additional £50,000 in notes linked to the robbery was recovered in the police club at Newforge, in Belfast.
	There have been 13 arrests to date by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to the robbery. Three people have been charged and are on bail awaiting trial. There have been no convictions to date.

Olympic Games: Medal Target

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following UK Sport's announcement of a target of 35 medals in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, whether they will break down the medal target on a sport-by-sport basis.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Thirty-five medals were the overall target announced by UK Sport at the start of the Beijing Olympic cycle, based on the level of investment available. The final medal target for Beijing will be confirmed with the Minister for Sport and published on a sport-by-sport basis in spring 2008.

Pensions: Republic of Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assurances they have received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland that pensioners in receipt of United Kingdom pensions who are dependent welfare cases resident in Irish state-run homes receive the full pension paid by the United Kingdom.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have had no contact from the Government of the Republic of Ireland on this subject. UK pensions are normally paid directly to customers or their legal appointees. It is up to individuals or their appointees to decide how to spend their funds.

Schools: Admissions

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will cancel their proposal contained in paragraph 2.13 of the draft school admissions code to remove the sibling criterion for certain state schools; and
	What is their assessment of the extent to which paragraph 2.13 of the draft school admissions code will create particular difficulties for parents with children already attending a partially selective state secondary school and where children obtained a place with the legitimate expectation that younger siblings would subsequently be able to obtain a place at the same school; and
	Whether the proposal in paragraph 2.13 of the draft school admissions code to remove the sibling criterion for certain state schools is compatible with their commitment to help parents to balance work and family life; and
	Whether, in light of the support and shared sense of family values which siblings can provide at both secondary and primary schools, they will reconsider the proposal in paragraph 2.13 of the draft school admissions code to remove the sibling criterion for partially selective state schools; and
	Whether they have made an assessment of the impact that the proposed removal of the sibling criterion in certain state secondary schools will have on the continuity of parental support in such schools; and
	How many representations and letters of objection they have received in relation to the proposal contained in the draft school admissions code to remove the sibling criterion for certain state secondary schools; and
	What assessment they have made of the impact that the proposed removal of the sibling criterion for certain state schools will have for parents and children, in terms of (a) the number of school journeys; (b) the length of travel time of those journeys; and (c) any logistical difficulties in relation to different schools having different term dates and inset days; and
	Whether there is a contradiction between paragraphs 2.10 and 2.13 of the draft school admissions code; and what assessment they have made of any potential problems families of children at certain state secondary schools will face if paragraph 2.13 is implemented in its current form; and
	What assessment they have made of the concerns of partially selective state schools which wish to retain their family ethos through the retention of the sibling criterion for admissions; and whether, in light of these concerns, they will reconsider their proposal contained in the draft school admissions code to remove the sibling criterion for such schools.

Lord Adonis: Giving priority to siblings in school admissions can support families, especially those with young children, and this is acknowledged in paragraph 2.10 of the draft new school admissions code. The Education and Skills Select Committee, in its 2004 report on secondary school admissions, supported the use of this criterion but was concerned that giving priority to siblings could also substantially reduce the number of school places available for other families, including those with only one child or where the eldest child has yet to start school. This is exacerbated if schools do not take account of a family's change of address when applying the sibling criterion or by the use of other criteria, such as catchment areas that are some distance from the school.
	Giving priority to siblings will reduce the number of places available to other families. At schools with a high proportion of selection by ability or aptitude there will be fewer non-selective places available for other families if siblings of those admitted by selection are given priority. Accordingly, paragraph 2.13 of the draft school admissions code states that priority for admission to schools that select more than 10 per cent of the intake by ability or aptitude should not be given to children on the basis that they have a sibling at the school. This is not an absolute prohibition; schools may continue to use the criterion but will need to justify doing so in the context of admission arrangements in their area if an objection is made to the schools adjudicator.
	Parental support for schools is important, and the Government recognise this in the draft new school admissions code. The Government are also aware that some partially selective schools are concerned that they will not be able to encourage a family ethos if they do not give priority to siblings. The new code will establish a clear and straightforward framework for school admissions that puts the family at the heart of the system. It is essential that we extend fair access and choice to all families, not just a few.
	To date, more than 2,800 representations have been received on this issue, primarily from parents who have children at partially selective schools and who may have expected their younger children also to be admitted. All the responses to the consultation will be taken into account in preparing the new school admissions code, for which we will seek the approval of Parliament early in the new year.

Schools: Special Measures

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 8 November (WA 200), by what date they expect that the 272,000 children currently in schools that are in special measures or other Ofsted categories of concern will receive an education in schools needing no such attention.

Lord Adonis: We expect local authorities to take action to ensure that any school in an Ofsted category is improved and removed from that category as soon as possible. Each of these schools will have its own mix of issues that need to be addressed and resolved with urgency. The Education Act 2006 will ensure that local authorities act more swiftly and decisively to turn round a school in special measures. The Act strengthens authorities' powers of intervention in such schools and, in order to protect the interests of children, provides for radical action such as closure to be taken where inadequate progress is being made after 12 months.

Sport: Anti-doping

Lord Luke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the national anti-doping organisation annual manifesto and quarterly reports for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I am arranging for copies of the documents to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. These will include UK Sport's (the UK's national anti-doping organisation) annual manifestos for drug-free sport for 2005 and 2006-07. No manifesto was published in 2004. Also included are the quarterly anti-doping programme results for 2004, 2005 and quarters 1 and 2 of 2006.

Sport: Elite Squads

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the level of financial support received by each of the 35 Olympic governing bodies to assist with their development and elite squad preparation during the last quarter of 2006.

Lord Davies of Oldham: UK Sport, the Government's lead agency for elite sport, currently invests in 29 of the 35 Olympic governing bodies of sport. Awards are made annually on the basis of investment in the governing bodies' World Class Performance Pathway. The total level of financial support received includes programme funding direct to the NGB, a budget for athlete personal awards, usually paid directly to the athlete by UK Sport, plus an allocation from TASS funding and for EIS service provision. A quarter payment would usually be a quarter of that total annual award; however, the actual amount received is variable, as it is subject to each sport's agreed drawdown requirement based on cash flow.
	For 15 of the Olympic summer sports receiving new or additional funding for London 2012, funding is also subject to their progress against a number of agreed performance and governance triggers. These triggers, in two distinct stages, were announced by UK Sport in April 2006 as a means to ensure that the governing bodies were "fit for purpose" in relation to their receiving public funds.
	For Q3, the final quarter of 2006, each sport will have been assessed against the funding triggers and the funding received based on their being in one of the following four categories:
	
		
			 Category 1 GB governance and performance management structure in place; all stage 1 and 2 performance and governance triggers met. In full receipt of Q1, Q2 and Q3 funding. 
			 Category 2 GB governance and performance management structure in place; Q1 and Q2 funding released in full. Q3 funding initially limited to up to 75 per cent as not all stage 2 performance and governance triggers met. 
			 Category 3 GB governance and performance management structure in place; Q1 funding available or released in full. Q2 and Q3 funding available at up to 50 per cent (depending on cash-flow need) while sports progress towards stage 1 funding triggers. 
			 Category 4 GB governance and/or performance management structure not yet in place or additional 2012 award not yet issued, as awaiting implementation of existing award conditions. 
		
	
	If a sport has had its payment reduced in October this year and subsequently meets its requirements between October and the end of December, the withheld proportion of the Q3 quarterly payment will be released.
	A list of all UK Sport funded governing bodies, outlining the total pathway award, the estimated quarterly payment and the status against funding trigger category, follows.
	
		
			   Total Pathway 2006-07 Average Qtr* Triggers 
			 1 Aquatics—Swimming £5,403,000.00 £1,350,750.00 100% 
			 2 Aquatics—Diving £1,484,000.00 £371,000.00 100% 
			 3 Aquatics—Synchro £523,000.00 £130,750.00 50% 
			 4 Aquatics—Water Polo £622,000.00 £155,500.00 100% 
			 5 Archery £767,000.00 £191,750.00 75% 
			 6 Athletics £6,593,000.00 £1,648,250.00 100% 
			 7 Badminton £2,250,000.00 £562,500.00 50% 
			 8 Baseball n/a n/a n/a 
			 9 Basketball £776,000.00 £194,000.00 0% 
			 10 Boxing £1,508,000.00 £377,000.00 0% 
			 11 Canoeing/Flat Water £3,491,000.00 £872,750.00 100% 
			 12 Canoeing/Slalom
			 13 Cycling £5,660,000.00 £1,415,000.00 100% 
			 14 Equestrian—Dressage
			 15 Equestrian—Eventing
			 16 Equestrian—Show Jumping £3,112,000.00 £778,000.00 100% 
			 17 Fencing £880,000.00 £220,000.00 75% 
			 18 Football n/a n/a n/a 
			 19 Gymnastics—Artistic
			 20 Gymnastics—Rhythmic
			 21 Gymnastics—Trampolining £2,347,000.00 £586,750.00 75% 
			 22 Handball £580,000.00 £145,000.00 75% 
			 23 Hockey £2,774,000.00 £693,500.00 75% 
			 24 Judo £1,774,000.00 £443,500.00 100% 
			 25 Modern Pentathlon £1,507,000.00 £376,750.00 100% 
			 26 Rowing £6,487,000.00 £1,621,750.00 100% 
			 27 Sailing £5,563,000.00 £1,390,750.00 100% 
			 28 Softball £170,000.00 £42,500.00 n/a 
			 29 Table Tennis £718,000.00 £179,500.00 75% 
			 30 Taekwondo £739,000.00 £184,750.00 100% 
			 31 Target Shooting £1,559,000.00 £389,750.00 0% 
			 32 Tennis n/a n/a n/a 
			 33 Triathlon £1,261,000.00 £315,250.00 100% 
			 34 Volleyball
			 35 Volleyball—Beach £792,000.00 £198,000.00 75% 
			 36 Weightlifting £462,000.00 £115,500.00 50% 
			 37 Wrestling—Freestyle
			 38 Wrestling—Greco-Roman £644,000.00 £161,000.00 75% 
			 39 Biathlon n/a n/a n/a 
			 40 Bobsleigh £131,428 £32,857.00  
			 41 Skeleton £432,360 £108,090.00  
			 42 Curling £116,928 £29,232.00  
			 43 Ice Hockey n/a n/a n/a 
			 44 Luge n/a n/a n/a 
			 45 Skating £335,400 £83,850.00  
			 46 Skiing £246,430 £61,607.50  
			 47 Snowboarding £63,942 £15,985.50  
			 *subject to cash-flow need

Sport: Elite Squads

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the level of financial support budgeted to be sent to each of the 35 Olympic governing bodies to assist with their development and elite squad preparation during the last quarter of 2006.

Lord Davies of Oldham: UK Sport, the Government's lead agency for elite sport, currently invests in 29 of the 35 Olympic governing bodies of sport. Awards are made annually on the basis of investment in the governing bodies' World Class Performance Pathway. The total level of financial support budgeted includes programme funding direct to the NGB, a budget for athlete personal awards, usually paid direct to the athlete by UK Sport, plus an allocation from TASS funding and for EIS service provision. The budget is therefore a quarter of that total annual award.
	A list of all UK Sport funded governing bodies, outlining the annual budgeted total pathway award and budgeted quarterly payment, follows.
	
		
			   Total Pathway 2006-07 Average Qtr* 
			 1 Aquatics—Swimming £5,403,000.00 £1,350,750.00 
			 2 Aquatics—Diving £1,484,000.00 £371,000.00 
			 3 Aquatics—Synchro £523,000.00 £130,750.00 
			 4 Aquatics—Water Polo £622,000.00 £155,500.00 
			 5 Archery £767,000.00 £191,750.00 
			 6 Athletics £6,593,000.00 £1,648,250.00 
			 7 Badminton £2,250,000.00 £562,500.00 
			 8 Baseball n/a n/a 
			 9 Basketball £776,000.00 £194,000.00 
			 10 Boxing £1,508,000.00 £377,000.00 
			 11 Canoeing/Flat Water   
			 12 Canoeing/Slalom £3,491,000.00 £872,750.00 
			 13 Cycling £5,660,000.00 £1,415,000.00 
			 14 Equestrian—Dressage   
			 15 Equestrian—Eventing   
			 16 Equestrian—Show Jumping £3,112,000.00 £778,000.00 
			 17 Fencing £880,000.00 £220,000.00 
			 18 Football n/a n/a 
			 19 Gymnastics—Artistic   
			 20 Gymnastics—Rythmic   
			 21 Gymnastics—Trampolining £2,347,000.00 £586,750.00 
			 22 Handball £580,000.00 £145,000.00 
			 23 Hockey £2,774,000.00 £693,500.00 
			 24 Judo £1,774,000.00 £443,500.00 
			 25 Modern Pentathlon £1,507,000.00 £376,750.00 
			 26 Rowing £6,487,000.00 £1,621,750.00 
			 27 Sailing £5,563,000.00 £1,390,750.00 
			 28 Softball £170,000.00 £42,500.00 
			 29 Table Tennis £718,000.00 £179,500.00 
			 30 Taekwondo £739,000.00 £184,750.00 
			 31 Target Shooting £1,559,000.00 £389,750.00 
			 32 Tennis n/a n/a 
			 33 Triathlon £1,261,000.00 £315,250.00 
			 34 Volleyball   
			 35 Volleyball—Beach £792,000.00 £198,000.00 
			 36 Weightlifting £462,000.00 £115,500.00 
			 37 Wrestling—Freestyle   
			 38 Wrestling—Greco-Roman £644,000.00 £161,000.00 
			 39 Biathlon n/a n/a 
			 40 Bobsleigh £131,428 £32,857.00 
			 41 Skeleton £432,360 £108,090.00 
			 42 Curling £116,928 £29,232.00 
			 43 Ice Hockey n/a n/a 
			 44 Luge n/a n/a 
			 45 Skating £335,400 £83,850.00 
			 46 Skiing £246,430 £61,607.50 
			 47 Snowboarding £63,942 £15,985.50 
			 * actual payment subject to cash-flow need and performance against funding triggers

Sport: Elite Squads

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many recipients in each Olympic sport received World Class Pathway Programme support in 2004, 2005 and 2006; how much the individual recipients received; and whether their funding is guaranteed for eight years.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The information in the table details how many recipients in each Olympic sport received World Class Performance Pathway support in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 (accurate to November 2006) via UK Sport, the Government's lead agency for elite sport. The figures are based on athletes on UK Sport's World Class Performance Pathway programme in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and its World Class Podium programme in 2006-07. Each recipient would have received an average of £45,000 programme support from their governing body plus a separate athlete personal award, usually paid directly to the athlete by UK Sport. The average payment made across each Olympic sport is in the table.
	Funding per sport is guaranteed for each four- year Olympic cycle; therefore, programme funding is in place for each Olympic sport until March 2009 (the end of the Beijing cycle). The funding of each individual athlete in each sport is subject to a performance review at least annually, held by the performance director.
	
		
			 2004-05 
			  Total £ Total No. of Athletes Received Funding Avg APA 
			 Archery £23,628.00 3 £11,095.00 
			 Athletics £724,908.00 72 £12,601.00 
			 Badminton 0 0 0 
			 Bobsleigh 0 0 0 
			 Boxing 0 0 0 
			 Canoeing £273,051.00 30 £13,729.00 
			 Curling 0 0 0 
			 Cycling £405,081.00 30 £14,937.00 
			 Diving £123,496.00 10 £13,062.00 
			 Equestrian £88,890.00 14 £6,772.00 
			 Fencing 0 0 0 
			 Gymnastics—Artistic £35,744.00 8 £5,398.00 
			 Judo £136,540.00 20 £9,255.00 
			 Men's Artistic £17,663.00 4 £7,362.00 
			 Modern Pentathlon £109,835.00 11 £10,939.00 
			 Rhythmic Gymnastics £6,879.00 2 £6,708.00 
			 Rowing £766,699.00 58 £15,105.00 
			 Sailing £406,501.00 43 £11,798.00 
			 Skeleton £25,290.00 2 £16,860.00 
			 Skiing £13,146.00 3 £8,916.00 
			 Snowboarding £14,097.00 2 £7,434.00 
			 Speed Skating £41,798.00 4 £9,840.00 
			 Swimming £517,984.00 52 £10,728.00 
			 Taekwondo £56,496.00 6 £9,345.00 
			 Target Shooting £97,229.00 11 £10,892.00 
			 Trampolining £44,955.00 7 £7,284.00 
			 Triathlon £235,759.00 17 £15,305.00 
			 Weightlifting £5,700.00 1 £5,700.00 
			 Wrestling 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2005-06 
			  Total £ Total No. of Athletes Received Funding Avg APA 
			 Archery £39,036.00 5 £7,752.00 
			 Athletics £591,380.00 56 £15,370.00 
			 Badminton 0 0 0 
			 Bobsleigh £22,164.00 2 £11,376.00 
			 Boxing 0  0 
			 Canoeing £283,098.00 24 £14,635.00 
			 Curling 0 0 0 
			 Cycling £457,858.00 32 £15,836.00 
			 Diving £129,370.00 17 £11,697.00 
			 Equestrian £101,067.00 17 £8,135.00 
			 Fencing £17,362.00 4 £8,892.00 
			 Gymnastics—Artistic £12,964.00 2 £13,266.00 
			 Judo £95,452.00 11 £11,956.00 
			 Men's Artistic 0 0 0 
			 Modern Pentathlon £127,913.00 12 £12,502.00 
			 Rhythmic Gymnastics 0 0 0 
			 Rowing £629,131.00 54 £15,363.00 
			 Sailing £510,017.00 42 £13,897.00 
			 Skeleton £29,748.00 2 £16,411.00 
			 Skiing £21,273.00 3 £8,464.00 
			 Snowboarding £14,139.00 2 £6,948.00 
			 Speed Skating £68,350.00 8 £9,151.00 
			 Swimming £191,683.00 28 £9,141.00 
			 Taekwondo £49,648.00 6 £15,278.00 
			 Target Shooting £77,820.00 7 £11,700.00 
			 Trampolining £31,448.00 7 £6,997.00 
			 Triathlon £182,337.00 13 £13,493.00 
			 Weightlifting £5,700.00 1 £5,700.00 
			 Wrestling £14,376.00 2 £13,572.00 
		
	
	
		
			 2006-07 
			  Total £ Total No. of Athletes Received Funding Avg APA 
			 Archery £34,751.00 6 £14,160 
			 Athletics £282,220.00 41 £16,796 
			 Badminton £82,116.00 18 £11,782 
			 Bobsleigh £9,970.00 2 £11,964 
			 Boxing £79,765.00 18 £10,924 
			 Canoeing £133,110.00 20 £14,529 
			 Curling £5,984.00 2 £17,948 
			 Cycling £229,377.00 33 £17,203 
			 Diving £73,768.00 13 £12,777 
			 Equestrian £67,720.00 14 £11,234 
			 Fencing £19,940.00 4 £11,966 
			 Gymnastics—Artistic £18,313.00 2 £15,308 
			 Judo £50,066.00 9 £12,937 
			 Men's Artistic 0 0 0 
			 Modern Pentathlon £47,856.00 9 £11,965 
			 Rhythmic Gymnastics 0 0 0 
			 Rowing £318,345.00 45 £15,659 
			 Sailing £277,181.00 39 £17,660 
			 Skeleton £29,915.00 4 £17,947 
			 Skiing £14,955.00 3 £11,964 
			 Snowboarding £7,976.00 2 £11,964 
			 Speed Skating £33,938.00 7 £11,592 
			 Swimming £158,799.00 30 £12,545 
			 Taekwondo £28,417.00 4 £15,554 
			 Target Shooting £28,417.00 6 £13,161 
			 Trampolining £19,940.00 4 £11,964 
			 Triathlon £43,818.00 7 £14,529 
			 Weightlifting £7,479.00 1 £17,948 
			 Wrestling £12,465.00 2 £17,948 
			 Total £: total amount of direct investment in APAs (excluding education awards) 
			 No. of athletes: represents the total number of individual podium athletes who received a payment from UK Sport in given year 
			 Avg APA: based on commitments made in given year 
			 2006-07: figures are subject to change as sports complete their athlete reviews for the year.

Sport: Governing Bodies

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to move both UK Sport and Sport England out of London in line with their Olympic regions and nations policy.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There are no plans to relocate either UK Sport or Sport England.

Sport: Governing Bodies

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have plans to amalgamate UK Sport and Sport England; and, if so, whether they will channel the savings generated direct to sport and recreation provision.

Lord Davies of Oldham: We have no plans to amalgamate UK Sport and Sport England. UK Sport is responsible for delivering success in high-performance sport and developing elite athletes, and Sport England is responsible for encouraging greater participation in community sport.

St Andrews Agreement

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have estimated the annual cost of implementing an Irish language Bill for Northern Ireland as envisaged in the 2006 St Andrews agreement.

Lord Rooker: Information on the cost implications of implementing an Irish language Act is being compiled for the purposes of a consultation paper, which the Government plan to publish before Christmas.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have proposals to reduce corporation tax in the United Kingdom in order to promote higher levels of business investment.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Decisions about corporation tax are taken as part of the Budget process.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will respond in detail to the findings in the recent Economic Research Institute report Assessing the Case for a Differential Rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government will examine the ERINI report with interest.

Water Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why recruitment advertisements were placed in the Belfast Telegraph on 17 November for the reorganised Water Service in Northern Ireland before the outcome of a current judicial review is known.

Lord Rooker: The chief executive of the Water Service, Mrs Katharine Bryan, has written to the noble Lord in response to this Question.
	Letter from Mrs Katharine Bryan to Lord Laird
	You recently asked Her Majesty's Government a Parliamentary Question about why recruitment advertisements were placed in the Belfast Telegraph on 17 November for the reorganised Water Service in Northern Ireland before the outcome of a current judicial review was known (HL206). As this issue falls within my responsibility as chief executive of the Water Service, I have been asked to reply.
	The outcome of the judicial review on the water reform legislation would have had no effect on the need for the posts advertised in the Belfast Telegraph on 17 November 2006. These posts are considered crucial to the delivery by the Water Service of the improved efficiency and cost reductions required under the water reform agenda. The successful applicants will assist the Water Service in providing a value-for-money service, which will ensure that charges to customers are kept to a minimum.

Water Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the business strategy for the Water Service in Northern Ireland has been agreed; and, if so, by whom it was agreed, when it was agreed, and after what consultation.

Lord Rooker: The strategic business plan for Northern Ireland Water Limited has not yet been agreed.

Water Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the cost to the Department for Regional Development of the review on water charges in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The legal costs to the Department for Regional Development arising as a result of the application for judicial review brought by the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland have been estimated at £125,000.

Water Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the figure of £85 million to £90 million which would be lost if the water charges reform in Northern Ireland is not implemented by next April (as outlined in a press release from the Department for Regional Development on 21 November) was calculated.

Lord Rooker: The estimate of £85 million to £90 million which would be lost in 2007-08 was based on the latest available estimate of the revenue to be recovered directly from customers through the new charges.

Water Service: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to accept the advice of the Committee on the Preparation for Government in Northern Ireland to leave the issue of water charging to the Northern Ireland Assembly to be elected in March 2007.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland wrote to the Committee on the Programme for Government on 28 November advising that he did not accept its recommendation for a deferral in the passage of the draft water and sewerage services legislation. He has advised the committee of the fundamental importance of water reform to the Government's ongoing radical programme of investment and reform of Northern Ireland's public services, and of the Government's intention to proceed with plans to introduce the new arrangements, including domestic water and sewerage charges, from 1 April 2007.

Water Supply: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there will be a further consultation process for the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

Lord Rooker: There will be no further consultation on the draft Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. This was laid on 9 October 2006.

Works of Art

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will reconsider proposals in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill, relating to looted antiquities and Nazi-looted works of art, to ensure that they will not prevent the rightful owners of the works of art from recovering their stolen property if it is displayed in British institutions.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The proposals in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill granting protection to cultural objects on loan have now been introduced into the House of Lords and will be subject to the usual parliamentary scrutiny. The Government will listen very carefully to all points made in the debates on these provisions and will consider whether they will achieve an appropriate balance between the interests of British museums and galleries and the interests of claimants to stolen property.